Published 9:08 pm, Saturday, October 13, 2012

Ives is considered the greatest of American composers. In 1947, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his Third Symphony, The Camp Meeting.

The celebration on Oct. 21 this year begins with a 9:30 a.m. hike up Pine Mountain, a special place of retreat for Ives. The vista from the top of the mountain extends to Long Island Sound on a clear day. The hike is moderately difficult.

It will be followed by a visit to Ives' birth home at noon on the corner of Mountainville Avenue and Southern Boulevard and a visit to his grave in Wooster Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

This year's musical celebration will feature "The Unanswered Question," written by Ives in 1906.

Composed for trumpet solo, woodwinds, and strings, the work contemplates the unanswerable, perennial question of existence. The trumpet asks the question and is answered by the strings representing the vast silences of the Druids who know, see and hear nothing.

The woodwinds also seek the answer but abandon their quest in frustration. Ultimately the question remains unanswered.

Also featuredis the Danbury Brass Band under the direction of Alan Raph. The Danbury Brass Band will perform songs by Ives including "Slow March," written in Danbury in 1888 upon the death of Chin-Chin, a favorite family pet.

All events are free but reservations are required for the hike. Contact Sudik at the Danbury Music Centre for reservations or more information about Ives Day at 203-748-1716 or go to www.danbury.org/MusicCtr.